SQL Server
Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap
Licensing Reference
Licensing reference materials are continuously updated, highly-detailed entries covering Microsoft licensing terms, procedures, practices and timelines.
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Product Reference
Product reference materials are clear, concise definitions and descriptions of Microsoft's ever-growing catalog of products and services.
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SQL Server Roadmap Posts
All SQL Server Roadmaps
Power BI Roadmap
Power BI is Microsoft’s primary data visualization and data modeling offering. It includes cloud and... more
SQL Managed Instance Roadmap
Updated Sep-2025: SQL Managed Instance is finally supporting Windows logins, removing a long-standing barrier to... more
SQL Database Roadmap
Updated Sep-2025: SQL Database is receiving natural language queries from SQL Server 2025, but customers... more
Azure Data Factory Roadmap
Update Oct. 2025 – Azure Data Factory is starting to lose components that are now... more
SQL Data Sync Roadmap
The Azure SQL Data Sync service acts as a cloud hub for synchronizing data across... more
SQL Server Reporting Services Roadmap
Update Oct. 2025 – Happy trails SSRS, it’s been nice knowing you. Yes, SSRS is... more
SQL Server Analysis Services Roadmap
Update Oct. 2025 – You’ll have to wait for SQL Server 2025, but expect some... more
SQL Server Integration Services Roadmap
Update Oct. 2025 – The deprecations increase with SSIS in SQL Server 2025 removing a... more
SQL Server Roadmap
Update Oct 2025 – Natural language search is native in SQL Server 2025 with built-in... more
Azure Analysis Services Roadmap
Azure Analysis Services (AAS) is a cloud analytics service based on SQL Server Analysis Services... more
Database Migration Service Roadmap
Update Sept. 2025: DMS is losing its automation through Data Studio. The change will mostly... more
SQL Edge Roadmap
Azure SQL Edge is retiring in Sept. 2025. For more details and migration advice, see... more
SQL Server Stretch Database Roadmap
Roadmap for Azure SQL Server Stretch Database, a hosted data storage service used with on-premises... more
Server Application Version Support
This chart (fig 1.) displays server application compatibility with Windows Server and SQL Server versions... more
Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap – Overall Trends
This section discusses high-level trends that Directions sees in the areas of Database, Analytics, AI, and... more
Comparing Database, Analytics, and AI Offerings
Microsoft’s database, analytics, and AI landscape includes on-premises products and Microsoft cloud-based services that are part... more
SQL Server Analyst Reports
All SQL Server Reports
SQL Server Management Studio Update Will Integrate GitHub Copilot
Updated: October 23, 2025
A new version of SQL Server Management Studio brings the most significant updates to the...more
ESUs Protect Systems Past Support
Updated: October 23, 2025
Customers should subscribe to ESUs for any unsupported Microsoft software they run. Systems without ESUs...more
ESUs Protect Systems Past Support
Updated: October 21, 2025
Customers should subscribe to ESUs for any unsupported Microsoft software they run. Systems without ESUs...more
Azure Data Studio Is Retiring: What You Need to Do and When
September 13, 2025
Azure Data Studio, long touted as the future for data management in Azure, will be...more
How to Track Azure Hybrid Benefit Use Rights for SQL Server
Updated: September 8, 2025
Customers are responsible for ensuring they have the proper licenses to keep their Azure Hybrid...more
SQL Data Sync’s Retirement Highlights the Future of Azure SQL Offerings
September 4, 2025
Azure SQL Data Sync is retiring in Sept. 2027 with no explanation or straightforward migration...more
How to Choose Azure SQL Configurations That Meet Requirements and Control Costs
August 5, 2025
Azure SQL services can host SQL Server databases using the same SQL Server database engine...more
SQL Server 2025 Adds Natural Language Search the Right Way
June 26, 2025
SQL Server 2025 will include a natural language search capability (called vector search) that can...more
SQL Server 2025 Gets Engine and AI Updates
Updated: April 11, 2025
SQL Server 2025, in private preview, will bring engine performance improvements, security enhancements, and new...more
Migrating SQL Data Warehouse to Fabric: Compatibility Matters
Updated: April 6, 2025
Although they share a codebase, SQL Server and Fabric have differences that impact migration. SQL...more
Executive Focus: The Mounting Risks of On-Premises Server Software
Updated: January 12, 2025
Microsoft’s cloud-first focus reduces the long-term viability of traditional on-premises server software. Organizations using on-premises...more
Executive Focus: SQL Server License Consolidation Provides Tangible Benefits
Updated: November 1, 2024
SQL Server license consolidation is a low-risk effort that delivers cost, compliance, and administrative...more
Database Offerings 2024: Overview and Roadmap
Updated: August 12, 2024
Microsoft offers many database products and services, and customers need to narrow the broad field...more
Evaluating Your SQL Server 2014 Migration Options
Updated: July 26, 2024
Organizations already should have plans to migrate off SQL Server 2014, which reaches the end...more
Database Offerings 2024: Understanding SQL-Based Options
Updated: July 15, 2024
SQL Server remains Microsoft’s preferred structured database management technology for on-premises and Azure deployments, making...more
How Microsoft’s Data Integration and Transformation Offerings Compare
Updated: June 24, 2024
Several Microsoft data integration and transformation offerings are available, and they vary in features, maturity,...more
Podcasts
SQL Server 2025 to Deliver AI Features and Lots More
June 26, 2025
· Season - 4 · Episode - 11 · Duration - 36m Diving Into the Data: A Directions on Microsoft BrainstormAugust 27, 2024
· Season - 3 · Episode - 14 · Duration - 51m SQL Server 2022’s New Azure-Connected FeaturesFebruary 13, 2023
· Season - 2 · Episode - 3 · Duration - 19mBlog
Updated: January 9, 2025
SQL Server: The Polymath of Databases?
by Greg DeMichillie
Updated: April 8, 2024
Answer This: How to control costs when licensing Windows Server 2012 ESUs for VMs
by Mary Jo Foley
Updated: April 8, 2024
CIO Talk: Don’t Forget the IT Fundamentals!
by Barry Briggs